Uber’s New Feature Enables Deaf Kenyans Becomes Drivers

Following a partnership between Uber, the ride-hailing service and the Kenya National Association of the Deaf (KNAD), new features will be introduced on the Uber app, designed to make it easier for deaf and hard-of-hearing Kenyans to become partner-drivers and earn an income.

The partnership with the association has helped Uber understand the challenges deaf and hard-of-hearing people overcome every day.

“As a result we’re introducing new features on the Uber app which are designed to make it easier for deaf and hard-of-hearing Kenyans to become partner-drivers and earn an income. The new settings we’re announcing today are a first step but we’re already thinking about how else we can help, through education and awareness, remove the barrier between deaf and hearing people in our cities,” says Jambu Palaniappan, Regional General Manager for Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa.

According to Nickson O. Kakiri, National Chairman of the Kenya National Association of the Deaf, “Part of our mission is to promote public and private sector policies and initiatives that meet the rights and needs of the deaf community. This partnership, which will make it easier for deaf and hard of hearing people to work, is a welcome development.”

Uber announced in May some new features it was testing for deaf or hard-of-hearing driver partners in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. The features of the update included – a new trip request with a flashing light, ability for riders to text a deaf or hard-of-hearing driver if they need to provide special instructions for pickup, extra prompt that allows riders to enter their destination and notifies them if their driver is deaf or hard-of-hearing.